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Chapter 105: Kemetic Culture and Society in the High Middle Age
The society of Kemet in the later medieval period has not yet been described. Given the unique historical background and influences, the culture of Kemet is be substantially distinct from the culture of the other Mediterranean countries. The reason for this is that Egypt had managed to maintain its distinctive culture even during the periods of Persian, Greek and Roman rule. Given the geographic setting of Egypt, where the country is surrounded by desert on the west and in the east as well, cultural diffusion may occur primarily on the north-south axis, to a certain degree cultural interaction with the Levant has been also present throughout history.
Kemet has not taken in major influences from the south; rather the Nubian kingdoms , be they called Meroe, Kush, or Nobatia, Alodia and Makuria, have always inspired themselves by the example they witnessed in Egypt and sought to imitate the cultural development there. Therefore, medieval Kemet is not influenced as much from the south as from the north and east.
View attachment 531975
A Coptic church. Religion has always played an important role in the culture of Egypt
The major influences shaping Coptic culture are thus going to be predominantly the legacy of the ancient Egyptians (felt more intensively as one travels upstream) and Greco-Roman influence, felt most extensively in the western part of the Nile Delta. The Greek influence in Egypt can be dated even before the conquests of Alexander the Great, when Neukratis used to be the main centre of Greek culture in Egypt. However since the founding of Alexandria, that city had been a profoundly Greek city, in an Egyptian country. Hellenistic influence in Egypt had grown strong namely during the Ptolemaic dynasty, and was continued also in the Roman and Rhomaic eras. One of the lasting legacies of the Greek influence in Egypt is the shape of Coptic letters. In fact, the Coptic alphabet is practically the same as the Greek one, with a few unique letters, for some of the sounds in the Coptic language are not present in the Greek one.
Ultimately, the third vector influencing Egypt goes across the Sinai Peninsula. In the past, it has brought the Hyksos, the Hebrews, the Persians and most recently, the Arabs into the land. Semitic influences in Egypt are still felt, and the Arabic language has had some influence on the Coptic language as well. Again, the Arabic influence is most profoundly expressed in the eastern Delta regions, but also in Phiom (Fayyum).
To sum it up, Egyptian culture and society is shaped by three major cultural influences – Ancient Egyptian, Greek (Mediterranean) and Arabic (Semitic). The intensity of these influences thus varies geographically and thus the composition of the society is going to be different.
View attachment 531976
Most of Kemet´s population were farmers
Most of Kemet´s population is restricted to the relatively narrow Nile Valley, where most of them continue to work in agriculture. Given the fact that Kemet is an independent country run by an efficient bureaucracy, the management of irrigation is done at a professional level and does not result in any major problems, leading to no severe depopulation. The population of the Nile Valley in the late 13th century may be estimated at around 6 million people (1). High yields meant that Kemet was able to sustain not only a large population, but was also one of the prominent exporters of grain in both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea basins.
Most of the population of Kemet remains rural, and the Delta and the Nile Valley both remain dotted with over 2000 villages. However, the High Medieval period sees and increased rate of urbanization. Kemet´s population had been more urbanized only during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Kashromi, with around 60 000 people, located near the bifurcation of the Nile, is the largest city in the country, surpassing Alexandria with 35 000 people. The third city of the kingdom is the newly declared capital of Tamiat with 30 000 people. Other important cities are Phiom (2) and Siout (3). Lower Egypt also hosts a number of larger towns, although they cannot compete with the three metropolises at the corners of the triangle-shaped Delta.
In the rural areas of Upper Egypt, where the rate of urbanization is considerably smaller, the largest authority and owner of land is the Church. Working hand-in-hand with the bureaucratic apparatus, the Church is the single most powerful institution in Upper Egypt, and most of the peasants are paying rents and tithes to the Church, which are also used to sustain monastic life. Monasticism has a long tradition in Upper Egypt, and it has been mainly the monasteries, that had been the source of intellectual and philosophical development in Kemet. Said in short, the monasteries are also supplementing the role of universities in Kemet.
View attachment 531973
Most of Upper Egypt is held by the Church. However considerable areas of Lower Egypt are held by the landed nobility
The Coptic Church is however no longer the prominent land-owner in Lower Egypt. Considerable stretches of land have been granted to maintain the mercenary regiments, while large areas around Phiom and in the eastern Nile Delta were held by the descendants of the original clans of the Arab conquerors of Egypt. Thus, these areas can very well be described as having a feudal administration. However, the larger part of the Delta remains administered directly by the bureaucratic apparatus of Kemet.
As for the cities of Egypt, each of the three major cities of the Delta has its own distinct atmosphere and culture. Alexandria/Rakote is known to be multicultural metropolis, dominated by Greeks but home to a considerable Jewish community, as well as Latin merchants. Copts are present in the city as well, but are no more than a third of the city´s population. The city has a multicultural and mercantile atmosphere, and is known for its philosophy and history.
View attachment 531970
The pyramids of Giza are an iconic landmark
Kashromi has been until now the capital of Kemet, and while having large bazaars as well, it was regarded mainly as the seat of power. The pyramids of Giza could be seen on the horizon as a legacy of the country´s ancient glory, and the great palaces and garden, great architectural projects conducted by the heirs of Yaraklas were a testimony to their power in the present. Kashromi is known to be a city of bureaucrats and home to the largest barracks in country, embodying the power of Kemet, and the heart of the entire hierocratic system. Kashromi can also be described as a multicultural city – but in a much different way than Alexandria – the soldiers in the barracks are Armenians, Berbers, Nubians, Beja, Arabs and Copts. The city is also home to a Jewish and Armenian community.
Thirdly we have the city of Tamiat. Tamiat is located in the eastern part of the Nile Delta, and has a different spirit. Being the new royal capital, Tamiat seeks to become the dynamic gate to Egypt, and to represent a departure from the despotic hierocratic system. The bureaucratic apparatus had become colossus that when put at work had become difficult to manage, and rather often has the bureaucracy and the Church, two institutions ruling the country since the times of the Arabs, worked hand in hand. The Kings have found it difficult to stop one or the other, and have reached out to the landed military aristocracy, plantation owners and the cities to face these two institutional forces. It is largely symbolic that Tamiat is no longer the seat of the Coptic Pope; thus enabling a first hint for the division of church and state, a concept largely unknown to Egypt. Tamiat is thus the home of wealthy merchants, having acquired their status in the Spice Trade with India and South Arabia, as well as many palaces of the important noble families. In Tamiat, Arabic is heard often, as many of the commanders of the tribes stationed on the Sinai visit the city for vacation, spending time in magnificent villas. Tamiat is the new centre of native Coptic merchants, who are ready to take a more active role in running the state.
View attachment 531969
The dialects of Coptic
As for the Coptic language itself, it has diverged into numerous dialects. The literary form of Coptic, prevalent in most of the Delta is Bohairic, which has become the standard literary version of the language. Rakotic, a dialect spoken around Alexandria, is characterized by heavy Greek influence, with some Aramaic influences from the local Jewish community as well. In the east of the Delta, the Coptic language has come under significant influence of the Arabic language, and the heavily Arabized form is known as Mishri. Tamiettic has become its own dialect in the new capital. Menfi and Phiomic as well are significantly influenced to a significant extent by Arabic. The dialects of Upper Egypt – Pemdjeic, Sioutic, Khmimic and Nobatic are more conservative, with Pemdjeic exhibiting limited Greek influence, while Nobatic has a significant Nubian influence, which can be seen in Khmimic on a very limited scale as well. In general, the dialects of Coptic can be grouped into three major groups in the High Medieval Period: Western Delta – to include Rakotian and Bohairic, Broader Mishric to include Tamiettic, Mishri, Menfi and Phiomi and Upper Egyptian including Pemdjeic, Sioutic and Khmimic, sometimes described collectively as Sahidic.
Kemet has not taken in major influences from the south; rather the Nubian kingdoms , be they called Meroe, Kush, or Nobatia, Alodia and Makuria, have always inspired themselves by the example they witnessed in Egypt and sought to imitate the cultural development there. Therefore, medieval Kemet is not influenced as much from the south as from the north and east.
View attachment 531975
A Coptic church. Religion has always played an important role in the culture of Egypt
The major influences shaping Coptic culture are thus going to be predominantly the legacy of the ancient Egyptians (felt more intensively as one travels upstream) and Greco-Roman influence, felt most extensively in the western part of the Nile Delta. The Greek influence in Egypt can be dated even before the conquests of Alexander the Great, when Neukratis used to be the main centre of Greek culture in Egypt. However since the founding of Alexandria, that city had been a profoundly Greek city, in an Egyptian country. Hellenistic influence in Egypt had grown strong namely during the Ptolemaic dynasty, and was continued also in the Roman and Rhomaic eras. One of the lasting legacies of the Greek influence in Egypt is the shape of Coptic letters. In fact, the Coptic alphabet is practically the same as the Greek one, with a few unique letters, for some of the sounds in the Coptic language are not present in the Greek one.
Ultimately, the third vector influencing Egypt goes across the Sinai Peninsula. In the past, it has brought the Hyksos, the Hebrews, the Persians and most recently, the Arabs into the land. Semitic influences in Egypt are still felt, and the Arabic language has had some influence on the Coptic language as well. Again, the Arabic influence is most profoundly expressed in the eastern Delta regions, but also in Phiom (Fayyum).
To sum it up, Egyptian culture and society is shaped by three major cultural influences – Ancient Egyptian, Greek (Mediterranean) and Arabic (Semitic). The intensity of these influences thus varies geographically and thus the composition of the society is going to be different.
View attachment 531976
Most of Kemet´s population were farmers
Most of Kemet´s population is restricted to the relatively narrow Nile Valley, where most of them continue to work in agriculture. Given the fact that Kemet is an independent country run by an efficient bureaucracy, the management of irrigation is done at a professional level and does not result in any major problems, leading to no severe depopulation. The population of the Nile Valley in the late 13th century may be estimated at around 6 million people (1). High yields meant that Kemet was able to sustain not only a large population, but was also one of the prominent exporters of grain in both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea basins.
Most of the population of Kemet remains rural, and the Delta and the Nile Valley both remain dotted with over 2000 villages. However, the High Medieval period sees and increased rate of urbanization. Kemet´s population had been more urbanized only during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Kashromi, with around 60 000 people, located near the bifurcation of the Nile, is the largest city in the country, surpassing Alexandria with 35 000 people. The third city of the kingdom is the newly declared capital of Tamiat with 30 000 people. Other important cities are Phiom (2) and Siout (3). Lower Egypt also hosts a number of larger towns, although they cannot compete with the three metropolises at the corners of the triangle-shaped Delta.
In the rural areas of Upper Egypt, where the rate of urbanization is considerably smaller, the largest authority and owner of land is the Church. Working hand-in-hand with the bureaucratic apparatus, the Church is the single most powerful institution in Upper Egypt, and most of the peasants are paying rents and tithes to the Church, which are also used to sustain monastic life. Monasticism has a long tradition in Upper Egypt, and it has been mainly the monasteries, that had been the source of intellectual and philosophical development in Kemet. Said in short, the monasteries are also supplementing the role of universities in Kemet.
View attachment 531973
Most of Upper Egypt is held by the Church. However considerable areas of Lower Egypt are held by the landed nobility
The Coptic Church is however no longer the prominent land-owner in Lower Egypt. Considerable stretches of land have been granted to maintain the mercenary regiments, while large areas around Phiom and in the eastern Nile Delta were held by the descendants of the original clans of the Arab conquerors of Egypt. Thus, these areas can very well be described as having a feudal administration. However, the larger part of the Delta remains administered directly by the bureaucratic apparatus of Kemet.
As for the cities of Egypt, each of the three major cities of the Delta has its own distinct atmosphere and culture. Alexandria/Rakote is known to be multicultural metropolis, dominated by Greeks but home to a considerable Jewish community, as well as Latin merchants. Copts are present in the city as well, but are no more than a third of the city´s population. The city has a multicultural and mercantile atmosphere, and is known for its philosophy and history.
View attachment 531970
The pyramids of Giza are an iconic landmark
Kashromi has been until now the capital of Kemet, and while having large bazaars as well, it was regarded mainly as the seat of power. The pyramids of Giza could be seen on the horizon as a legacy of the country´s ancient glory, and the great palaces and garden, great architectural projects conducted by the heirs of Yaraklas were a testimony to their power in the present. Kashromi is known to be a city of bureaucrats and home to the largest barracks in country, embodying the power of Kemet, and the heart of the entire hierocratic system. Kashromi can also be described as a multicultural city – but in a much different way than Alexandria – the soldiers in the barracks are Armenians, Berbers, Nubians, Beja, Arabs and Copts. The city is also home to a Jewish and Armenian community.
Thirdly we have the city of Tamiat. Tamiat is located in the eastern part of the Nile Delta, and has a different spirit. Being the new royal capital, Tamiat seeks to become the dynamic gate to Egypt, and to represent a departure from the despotic hierocratic system. The bureaucratic apparatus had become colossus that when put at work had become difficult to manage, and rather often has the bureaucracy and the Church, two institutions ruling the country since the times of the Arabs, worked hand in hand. The Kings have found it difficult to stop one or the other, and have reached out to the landed military aristocracy, plantation owners and the cities to face these two institutional forces. It is largely symbolic that Tamiat is no longer the seat of the Coptic Pope; thus enabling a first hint for the division of church and state, a concept largely unknown to Egypt. Tamiat is thus the home of wealthy merchants, having acquired their status in the Spice Trade with India and South Arabia, as well as many palaces of the important noble families. In Tamiat, Arabic is heard often, as many of the commanders of the tribes stationed on the Sinai visit the city for vacation, spending time in magnificent villas. Tamiat is the new centre of native Coptic merchants, who are ready to take a more active role in running the state.
View attachment 531969
The dialects of Coptic
As for the Coptic language itself, it has diverged into numerous dialects. The literary form of Coptic, prevalent in most of the Delta is Bohairic, which has become the standard literary version of the language. Rakotic, a dialect spoken around Alexandria, is characterized by heavy Greek influence, with some Aramaic influences from the local Jewish community as well. In the east of the Delta, the Coptic language has come under significant influence of the Arabic language, and the heavily Arabized form is known as Mishri. Tamiettic has become its own dialect in the new capital. Menfi and Phiomic as well are significantly influenced to a significant extent by Arabic. The dialects of Upper Egypt – Pemdjeic, Sioutic, Khmimic and Nobatic are more conservative, with Pemdjeic exhibiting limited Greek influence, while Nobatic has a significant Nubian influence, which can be seen in Khmimic on a very limited scale as well. In general, the dialects of Coptic can be grouped into three major groups in the High Medieval Period: Western Delta – to include Rakotian and Bohairic, Broader Mishric to include Tamiettic, Mishri, Menfi and Phiomi and Upper Egyptian including Pemdjeic, Sioutic and Khmimic, sometimes described collectively as Sahidic.
- Historically, there were 4 million people in the 12th century
- Faiyoum
- Asyut
- Tomislav Addai
- Word Count: 1.6k